Srinagar: Kashmir Press Club (KPC) has condemned the assault on two journalists while discharging their professional duties.
A statement issued by the KPC said, Azaan Javaid of The Print and Anees Zargar of Newsclick were slapped, abused and intimidated by the senior police officers outside Islamia College of Science & Commerce Srinagar on Tuesday.
“The journalists were targeted by Superintendent of Police (north city) Sajad Shah and his subordinate Rashid Khan even when the two scribes disclosed their identity as journalists,” it said.
Quoting the duo, it said, police did not stop at this and hurled choicest abuse.
“All this is recorded in a video which also corroborates the version given by the duo from the circumstances. It appears that the two journalists were deliberately targeted,” the KPC added.
The KPC has taken serious note of this incident and accordingly took up the matter with senior police authorities and department of Information.
In this regard, the KPC delegation comprising Moazum Mohammad, vice president, KPC and Ishfaq Tantry, general secretary, KPC along with Anees Zargar, Azaan Javaid and Hakeem Irfan on Wednesday met SSP, Srinagar Haseeb Mughal at his office wherein he was apprised of the factual position.
“The SSP assured the delegation of strong action against the alleged accused. He told the delegation that a departmental inquiry has been ordered and SP headquarters has been asked to hold a time bound inquiry and submit his report within 10 days and accordingly fix the responsibility,” the statement said.
The KPC during the meeting reiterated that the media fraternity would not tolerate such behaviour towards the working journalists.
“It was on assurance of the senior police authorities the KPC on Wednesday deferred its planned protest against the incident. The KPC expects fair and speedy outcome of the inquiry ordered,” it added.

KR Desk